How Many Years Does it Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse practitioners are some of the most highly educated people in the nursing profession. They are often responsible for the primary care of patients (in states that give NPs full practice authority) and have the medical authority to administer drugs and fluids. Nurse practitioners often specialize in areas of obstetrics or pediatrics.

Because of the in-depth training required to become a nurse practitioner and the educational requirements to become licensed, many years of formal education are required beyond high school. It usually takes at least 6 to 8 years of education and training to become an NP.

Nurse Practitioner Education

To become a nurse practitioner, a student must complete a 4-year Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN). There are programs designed to train registered nurses at many colleges and universities, and these programs are aimed at helping graduates pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. A nurse practitioner doesn't need to become a registered nurse, but it can help because of the part-time work that will be available at local hospitals while continuing with the educational requirements. The 4-year degree must be in nursing at a minimum.

After earning your BSN, you'll need to complete a master's degree program that trains nurse practitioners. These are called Nurse Practitioner (NP) degrees. NP degrees can take 2 to 4 years.

NP and Physician Education Requirements: What's the Difference?

The extensive educational requirements to become an NP can resemble the requirements for physicians. This is because nurse practitioners can have many of the same duties as physicians, including the administering of primary care. Nurse Practitioner degree programs also include a significant amount of clinical work, which is why NP degree programs can take 2 to 4 years beyond earning a 4-year BSN degree. In addition to completing the NP degree coursework, new NPs must become licensed by the state in which they plan to practice by passing a state-specific NP exam.

Where Do Nurse Practitioners Work and What Do They Do?

Most nurse practitioners work in hospitals, medical centers or the offices of family physicians. Some nurse practitioners establish their own practices, especially those who specialize in fields such as pediatrics or obstetrics. The duties and responsibilities of nurse practitioners include interpreting medical histories and performing physical examinations. They also provide diagnoses and recommend treatments. NPs are often responsible for treating medical conditions that do not require a specialist such as common medical conditions and injuries. They also have a limited authority to prescribe medications.

NP Misconceptions

There are some misconceptions about the amount of training a nurse practitioner must achieve and the amount of educational background needed to become an NP. Many people might hear the term "nurse practitioner" and assume that the position is the same as any other nurse. They don't realize that nurse practitioners are required to spend several years in a postsecondary educational environment. There can also be a misconception in the general public that nurse practitioners can only be very specialized in a particular branch of nursing.